Joshua 1:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In contrast, the holy Apostles took not only the lands they traversed but also those where their wise teachings spread, transforming the old wilderness into a garden of God. The Prophet Isaiah remarked on this desert, saying, "Rejoice, O barren wilderness”; and again, "Let the wilderness rejoice and blossom." The Lord God also promised to transform the wilderness into fertile meadows and the parched land into streams. The prophet further indicated that this wasteland would resemble Carmel. The heralds of truth likewise inherited Anteliban, which signifies salvation for the Gentiles, as Jerusalem is referred to as Lebanon. It is written about "the great eagle, … who is commanded to enter Lebanon, … with the strength … of the cedar and cypress." Thus, Babylon is called the eagle, Jerusalem denotes Lebanon, and the rulers and nobles are likened to the softness of cedar and cypress. Our Lord sent these preachers of truth not only as scouts but also as guides. Just as the spies sent by Joshua rescued the faithful harlot by giving her a scarlet cord as a sign of salvation, the Apostles redirected the old wayward church, steeped in idolatry, towards eternal blessings—not through a scarlet cord, but by offering salvation through the most holy blood. Let no one deem Rahab unworthy to symbolize the Church; rather, heed the Apostle's words: at times we too have been foolish, disobedient, and led by our passions, living in malice and envy, full of abhorrence and hatred for one another; and again: we have acted foolishly and disobediently, indulging in various desires, fostering malice and envy, full of hatred. It is also stated that we once walked in darkness, but now live in the light of the Lord. In another passage, it warns, “Do not deceive yourselves: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor sodomites, nor covetous, nor thieves, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God,” yet it adds that some of you were such, but you were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the Spirit of our God. Rahab, despite her previous life, welcomed the spies with faith; when the king ordered them to be betrayed, she instead hid them, for she believed in the God of the Hebrews. Her faith is evident in her words: “We know that the Lord has given you the land; our hearts melted in fear as we heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea before you, what you did to the two kings of the Amorites…” With this testimony, the fullness of God's sovereignty became known. The stipulation given by the spies was significant, stating that anyone who exits your house will be responsible for his own fate, but we will not be guilty of your word. Salvation is conveyed through the Church; those outside will not find eternal life. The entire narrative expresses this truth. As the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan, the Lord spoke to Joshua: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel.” This parallels the truth being expressed here—as Joshua’s miraculous crossing signified his devotion, so our Lord, following His baptism by John, began His ministry of teaching and miracles. Some may find it strange to connect to our Lord the words, "Today I begin to exalt you." However, let them hear His words to the Father: "Father, glorify Me with the glory I had with You before the world existed." Furthermore, the Apostle affirms that God exalted Him and bestowed upon Him a name above all names. When He was elevated, He did not gain something new, but rather unveiled what was already His. Many were unaware that He was the Son of the Almighty; it became evident at His baptism by John when the Father proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” The priests who lift the covenant ark are likened to John the Baptist, who, being both priest and son of a priest, came to prepare the way. Just as the priests bore the ark into the Jordan first, and with Jesus as their leader, the people began to cross, so too, after John’s baptism, our Savior sanctified the waters, allowing all the righteous to enter the heavenly kingdom through baptism. Moreover, the two dozen men, along with their corresponding twelve stones, exemplified the divine nature of the Apostles, builders and foundations of the Church. It is said that their foundations are laid upon the teachings of the Apostles and Prophets. Likewise, the Apostle remarks on the wisdom of a master builder laying a strong foundation. The term "thickening" is interpreted to describe the water, which was held back, rising up as if more formidable than any barrier set by the Creator. The crossing of the Jordan happened before Passover; they crossed on the tenth day, while the Passover was celebrated on the fourteenth, mirroring the truth that, post-baptism, we partake of the Holy Lamb.

Although our limited understanding may fail to grasp the deeper reasons for why the Almighty Creator's Wisdom arranged for the Canaanite land to permanently dwell with the Hebrew people, we should nonetheless affirm without doubt the righteousness of God's unfathomable actions. We must reject godless thoughts and speech, for our God is just and has accomplished all things according to His will in heaven and on earth! When we observe the inhabitants of the earth alongside the majesty of the Almighty, the Creator of all, can we not clearly perceive that every creature is insignificant in comparison to His greatness, and that none exist who do not yield to His supremeness and authority? His plans and works, while often hidden from our eyes by His divine wisdom, unquestionably demonstrate the justice of His deeds. The Psalmist declares this justice: ‘Righteous are You, O Lord, and all Your judgments are true! (Psalm 118:137).

In light of God’s declared instruction, ‘Come into the land that I give you,’ we see clearly the limitless, sovereign power of the Lord, the Most High. By this unmatched authority, He rightfully granted the Israelites precious treasures taken from the Egyptians during the exodus, as the sacred chronicler Moses records in Exodus 12:36. To support this understanding, grounded on the unwavering justice of our wise Creator, we can propose several reasons—consistent with truth—regarding why God transferred the Canaanite land to the Israelites.

First, it is asserted by many Church scholars that the Promised Land was owned by Shem, Noah’s son, both before and after the Flood, which he inherited from his father and governed for an extensive period of time. However, over time, the nations descending from Canaan, whose father Ham brought upon himself his parents' curse, encroached upon Shem’s lands and forcibly displaced his descendants. Since the devout Abraham's lineage originates from Shem, his descendants, the Israelites, were granted by God the Promised Land as their rightful heritage, not as strangers but as rightful heirs to their ancestors' territory. This view is justly supported by Blessed Augustine.

Second, according to the same teacher, the inhabitants of Canaan committed numerous wicked acts before the Lord, multiplying their transgressions daily. They remained unrepentant despite witnessing the devastating consequences faced by Sodom and Gomorrah and other wicked peoples punished by God, even as His longsuffering temporarily delayed their due punishment, as detailed in Genesis 15:16, where it states that the sins of the Amorites have not yet been fulfilled. The just God, unable to endure the persistent iniquity of the Canaanites and Amorites—who not only unjustly expelled Shem’s family from their rightful inheritance but also engaged in grievous offenses—executed justice by reclaiming the Promised Land from them, handing it over to His chosen people.

Third, as the highest Lord and ultimate Possessor of all, God had the authority to transfer ownership of the Promised Land from the Canaanites and Amorites to other nations, especially to those deserving of His divine favor. Yet, of all nations in that era, none but the blessed descendants of righteous Abraham were granted a covenant with God. Therefore, desiring to enhance the faith and piety of His faithful servant Abraham and to honor his true worship with a significant outward sign, God promised to grant all territories held by the Canaanites and Amorites as an everlasting inheritance to Abraham’s offspring.